Our fully Guided Vacation Experiences

Led throughout by an experienced Travel Director and Driver Guide, all your needs are taken care of. Ranging between 4 to 20 days in length, all breakfasts are included, plus up to half of your dinners. Guided Vacations are a great way to make new friends!

You deserve a Short Break

Ranging from 2 to 7 days length, Short Breaks combine the must-see highlights of a destination with your choice from three accommodation standards, plus selected meals. Travel with different Driver Guides and a new group of like-minded travellers each day.

Journey to amazing places

Rich and immersive experiences in an intimate group setting of less than 20 like-minded travellers and no kids under 12years. Luxury transport, boutique retreats, lodges and resorts with great cuisine to match – be inspired!

Great value holidays

Affordable, easy going small group adventures of approximately 20 guests. With a focus on value for money, our Driver Guides will share with you authentic Australian experiences and must-see experiences of each destination we visit.

The Great Barrier Reef and Rainforest

There is so much to see in magnificant Tropical North Queensland. Choose from a selection of tours to the Kuranda Scenic Railway, Tjapukai Cultural Park, Skyrail Rainforest Cableway, Mossman Gorge, Daintree River and Cape Tribulation.

Prices From

$3125

$4200

$2810

Cosmopolitan style meets historical charm on your journey through Sydney. Visit Sydney’s historic district, The Rocks and its cobblestone streets with stores full of indigenous artwork, sweet and savoury treats and more. Cruise along Sydney’s iconic harbour and enjoy a sumptuous contemporary Australian menu while taking in the stunning view. A tour of Sydney Opera House and The Royal Botanical Gardens is next, followed by a trip to the world renowned Bondi Beach. Board a flight to Queensland’s jewel, the Whitsundays for you to enjoy at your leisure. You can do as much or as little as you like on your free day at Hamilton Island, but we’re sure the tropical waters will be beckoning you. Cairns is the next port of call with a quick catamaran ride to the Great Barrier Reef, enjoying the colourful marine life from a semi-sub, or go snorkelling to get up close and personal. You’ll then return to tropical Cairns to explore before bidding farewell to your new friends.

Itinerary

1 April 2016 - 31 March 2017 ?

Sydney

Day 1: Welcome to Sydney

Welcome to Sydney! Join your Travel Director to visit the famous Rocks Markets. Explore the narrow lanes and stroll along cobblestone streets. Now it’s time to find your sea-legs as you board a Captain Cook Cruise for your Welcome Reception and dinner where you can get to know your fellow travellers.

Day 2: Sydney

This morning enjoy a tour of the Sydney Opera House with a local guide. Later, ‘You’re invited’ to Bondi Beach for an iconic Australian experience. You’ll be greeted by a local surf lifesaver before lunch at an Aussie institution, the Returned Servicemen’s Club, with its views over the Pacific Ocean.

Day 3: Sydney ‘Free Time’

Spend a free day in Sydney seeing the sights of your choice. Perhaps take an excursion to view the Three Sisters in the Blue Mountains and Jenolan Caves or an interesting trip to Canberra, Australia’s capital. Or travel to the Hunter Valley, New South Wales’ premier wine growing region, for a wineries tour.

Hotel:
Hyatt Regency Darling Harbour,
Sydney.

Included Meals:
Day 1: Highlight Dinner. Day 2: Breakfast and You're invited Lunch. Day 3: Breakfast

Day
4-5

Sydney – Hamilton Island

Day 4: Sydney – Hamilton Island

You will be transferred to Sydney Airport for your flight to Hamilton Island, one of the 74 islands in Queensland’s Whitsundays (airfare not included). The rest of the day and evening is at leisure for you to relax or explore and orientate yourself with the picturesque surroundings.

Day 5: Hamilton Island- Included Choice

Today in paradise, choose from a selection of included sightseeing experiences. You may like to strap on a snorkel and mask for a guided tour to spot turtles or even hire a buggy to discover the island at your own pace. If sitting back and relaxing with lunch or discovering native Australian animals is more your thing, you can choose to do that too. This afternoon you may like to consider a cruise to beautiful Whitehaven Beach but whatever you do, at some stage, grab a good book and sit back and relax by the resort pool.

Hotel:
Reef View Hotel,
Hamilton Island, 2 nights.

Included Meals:
Breakfast both days

Day
6-7

Hamilton Island – Port Douglas & Great Barrier Reef

Day 6: Hamilton Island – Cairns – Port Douglas

This morning you'll fly to Cairns. On arrival you’ll board your coach for the short journey to the resort town of Port Douglas, nestled between two World Heritage listed areas, the Great Barrier Reef and the Daintree National Park. This afternoon you can relax by the lagoon-style pool, join in one of the resort’s activities or take a stroll around the village of Port Douglas. This evening perhaps be tempted by a cocktail at Estilo lounge bar before dinner at Bazaar marketplace.

Day 7: Great Barrier Reef

Board your Quicksilver wavepiercing catamaran for your cruise to renowned Agincourt Reef, at the very outer edge of the Great Barrier Reef. The friendly, professional crew will take you to an underwater world that is a dazzling kaleidoscope of colour and brilliance. Enjoy a reef education presentation by a marine naturalist. Choose to snorkel (equipment provided) or you can stay dry and explore the stunning reef from the comfort of a Quicksilver semi-sub, just one metre underwater. Watch the fish- feeding from Quicksilver’s unique underwater viewing platform and underwater observatory. A hot and cold tropical buffet lunch including fresh prawns, meats, salads and fruit is served before you return to Port Douglas this afternoon.

Hotel:
QT Port Douglas,
2 nights.

Included Meals:
Day 6: Breakfast and Dinner with wine. Day 7: Breakfast and Lunch

Day
8-9

Port Douglas – Cairns

Day 8: Port Douglas – Cairns

Your first stop is Mossman Gorge in the Daintree National Park for your Ngadiku Dreamtime Gorge Walk. In this hands-on experience you'll learn about traditional plant use and your Indigenous Guide will help you identify bush food sources. They will provide an enchanting narrative of the rainforest and their special relationship with this unique tropical environment. At the end of the journey enjoy traditional bush tea and damper. Later, journey to Kuranda, where there's time to explore the 'village in the rainforest' including the Heritage Village Markets. Return to the lowlands on the Skyrail Cableway high above the canopy of the Barron Gorge National Park. This evening You're Invited for a dining experience with a local family. Enjoy a great Aussie BBQ dinner with your hosts in their family home.

Day 9: Cairns

Spend today as you choose. Maybe take an optional experience to award-winning Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park to discover the secrets of this ancient culture through theatres, stages shows and demonstrations or spot crocodiles and birds in their natural habitat and learn about the fascinating harbour and its history on an afternoon cruise on Cairns Harbour. You could visit Cairns Tropical Zoo or Hartley's Crocodile Adventures to encounter an array of wildlife, including koalas, beautiful tropical birds, reptiles, insects and other native fauna. This evening join your fellow travellers and Tour Director for a Farewell Dinner at a restaurant on the Cairns waterfront.

Hotel:
Hilton Hotel Cairns,
2 nights.

Included Meals:
Day 8: Breakfast and 'You're invited dinner'. Day 9: Breakfast and Farewell dinner

Day
10

Farewell from Cairns

Bid farewell to your fellow travellers when your holidays comes to an end after breakfast.

10 Day Guided Vacation

Tour departs from Sydney and returns to Cairns

Don't Miss

Breakfast with the Koalas

Start your day on Hamilton Island with Breakfast with the Koalas! You’ll dine on a full Aussie buffet breakfast with koalas lazing about in the trees right next to your table. Did you know that koalas sleep between 18 and 20 hours every day?

Highlights

Dinner on Sydney Harbour

Sydney Opera House tour

Stay on Hamilton Island

Resort in Port Douglas

Great Barrier Reef Cruise

Explore Mossman Gorge

Kuranda & Skyrail Rainforest Cableway

Aboriginal cultural experience

‘You’re Invited’ experience

Inclusions

Experienced Travel Director and Driver Guide

Quality accommodation

Travel by luxury coach

Airport transfers (see flight information below)

Dining

Full buffet breakfasts (9)

Lunch (1)

‘You’re invited’ lunch (1)

‘You’re invited’ dinner (1)

Dinner with wine (1)

Highlight dinner (1)

Farewell dinner (1)

Flight Information

Any flights referred to in the itinerary are at the client’s expense and are not included in the land content price.

Quality accommodation

Hyatt Regency Darling Harbour

161 Sussex Street, Sydney, NSW 2000

Sydney.

As one of Australia's largest hotel, we are a self-rated 4.5 star hotel with 648 rooms including 17 suites, we have what matters most to you like stylish rooms and a comfortable bed. Located in Sydney's Central Business District and overlooking the spectacular Darling Harbour, you'll be surrounded by all of Sydney's major entertainment and shopping districts including Pitt Street Mall and Queen Victoria Building with The Rocks, Sydney Harbour Bridge and Opera House just a 15 minute walk away!

Experience more on your holiday

To ensure your holiday is filled with memorable experiences, we have included a range of quality
Optional Excursions for you to choose from and partake in, if you wish, during your holiday. We understand that everyone is an individual, and have therefore allowed some free time for you to experience different types of touring. These have not been included in the tour fare as we realise they may not appeal to all people. Our selection of optional excursions include scenic flights, helicopter rides, cruises, dinners, ballooning, fishing trips, four wheel drive tours, cultural experiences, and even camel riding.

Experiences available between 1 April 2016 - 31 March 2017

Hunter Valley Harvest Wine Experience - (J14) (Sydney)

$170.10 adult

Cross the Sydney Harbour Bridge then be treated to magnificent views of the Hawkesbury River. Experience a private tasting at Lindemans Wines. Visit Hunter Resort and learn about the history of wine in the Hunter region. Enjoy a tasting platter lunch offering a range of local produce. Further tastings include a visit to McGuigan Wines. You’ll have free time to explore the many hidden delights in the Hunter Valley Gardens village - why not try some chocolate at the candy store! *Post tour bookings only

Blue Mountains & Australia Wildlife - (J15) (Sydney)

$135.00 adult

Pass by Homebush Bay, site of the 2000 Olympics. Discover Leura village, a delightful blend of groomed gardens and quaint shops. Stop at Echo Point and see the famous Three Sisters rock formation. See Katoomba in the heart of the Blue Mountains. Visit Scenic World for a chance to ride the steepest railway in the world (own expense). Enjoy an afternoon encounter at Featherdale Wildlife Park. Have your photo taken with a cuddly koala. See kangaroos, wombats, dingoes and cute little penguins.

Sydney Heli Tours (Sydney)

Prices starting from $220 for 20min Flight

This is the best way to see Sydney in all its glory. See full panoramic views of the Harbour Bridge, Opera House, Manly Cove and Sydney’s spectacular Harbour and city skyline. This tour will leave you breathless! Great Views, Great Flight! After a safety briefing, we will use your own camera for some happy snaps in front of your helicopter to begin the memories of a sensational Heli Tour. Within 5 minutes your professional pilot will have you over the harbour flying past icons such as the Sydney Harbour Bridge, Sydney Opera House, Taronga Zoo, Watsons Bay, Rose Bay and Manly Cove. Throughout the flight your pilot will be providing you with expert commentary via voice activated headset. *Post tour bookings only.

Bridge Climb (Sydney)

The Bridge Climb is a 3 1/2 hour guided journey to the top of the Sydney Harbour Bridge. It takes you along the outer arch of the Bridge on catwalks and ladders all the way to the summit, 134 metres above Sydney Harbour. In Climb groups of up to 14 people, you’ll be led by one of BridgeClimb’s professional Climb Leaders on an adventure of the world’s most recognisable Bridge.

GBR - Outer Reef Scenic Flight (Cairns)

$175 adult

Complete your reef experience by joining a reef scenic flight to view the majestic coral formations from the air.

Great Adventures - Introductory Dive (Cairns)

$162 adult

No experience is necessary to take a fully supervised introductory dive and explore the reef and its amazing marine life. Snorkel tours are a great way to maximise your experience on the Great Barrier Reef with many magnificent sites to capture the excitement. Note: Age and medical restrictions may apply to diving.

Bookings

The excursions can be booked through your Travel Director. You will be asked during the early part of your tour to name those that you may wish to join, as advance reservations are often necessary. Please note that occasionally weather or seasonal conditions may not permit their operation. Some also depend on a minimum number of participants and suitable time being available.

Prices

Prices indicated are Australian or New Zealand dollars

Prices are valid from 1 April 2016. Optional experience pricing is indicated in Australian dollars or New Zealand dollars depending on the country of operation and may be subject to change. Please note that reduced rates for pensioners or children may apply on some tours. Prices are inclusive of GST.

AAT Kings is Australia’s favourite guided holiday company, with over 100 years of experience. Our wide range of Day Tours, Short Breaks and Guided Holidays are the perfect way to experience the best of Australia & New Zealand.